Installed at major junctions across the city, these cameras could not record even a single instance of traffic violation since 2001
Installed at major junctions across the city, these cameras could not record even a single instanceu00a0 of traffic violation since 2001 Even after all the elaborate arrangements made by the Bangalore traffic police to monitor and curb traffic violations and related crimes, the 180 CCTV cameras installed at major junctions across the cityu00a0 since 2001 have not been able to capture even one incident on tape till date.
Officials at Enforcement Automation Center (EAC) claim that the CCTV cameras, which act as the eyes and ears of the traffic police, cannot capture the registration plates of vehicles involved in hit-and-run incidents, as the cameras are not advanced.
"We can capture images of stationary vehicles at the junctions, but cannot do the same with vehicles that are moving," said a senior officer with the enforcement cell.
Big failure
He added that this is one of the main reasons why the cell has failed to detect even a single hit and run case.
The cell can only help if authorities provide them with the registration number of suspect vehicles, he informed.
Another officer said that even a proper description of vehicles will not help at times, as a vehicle involved in an accident could deviate from the normal route and does not necessarily have to turn up at the next junction, where they could get footage. If a vehicle involved in an accident takes a different route, then no one could trace it, unless someone has noted down the registration number.
A senior police officer in-charge of the center said that the CCTV cameras are basically used to capture traffic violations at junctions and are successful with stationary vehicles. Another point is that the cameras are useful in providing the traffic police with footage of congestions and a means to regulate traffic.u00a0
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Panduranga Rane said that he is not aware of this drawback. "I will discuss with higher ups to study the problem," he said.
Inferior quality?
Traffic Expert M N Srihari said, "The city has low resolution and outdated cameras, which is why it is difficult to record details of moving vehicles. However, there are around 50 superior quality cameras imported from the US installed at Mysore city, which capture details of the fastest moving vehicles." He added that it is time to replace old cameras to keep up with development in the city, in terms of vehicle population, to successfully curb traffic offences.
Central team viewMeanwhile, a team of officials led by G K Pillai, secretary,u00a0 Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Chief Secretary S V Ranganath, Principal Secretary K M Shivakumar and Director-General and Inspector-General of Police S T Rameshu00a0 proposed a comprehensive city security system to combat possible threats to the city.
It had proposed in the meeting that an additional 10,000 CCTV cameras would be installed to monitor sensitive locations across the city and adjoining areas. The cameras will be linked to a central processing centre and monitored on a real-time basis. The information generated at the centre will be utilised, if required, by various enforcement agencies.u00a0
In several cities across the world, massive investments have been put in to install CCTV cameras to prevent crimes.
